Tension envelope



May 1. 1928. 1,668,372

CUP, KLEEBAUER ET AL w t w Patented May 1, 19 28.

UNITED STATES v 1,668,372 rA-rsnr OF'FICEIQL CHARLES 1?. KLEEBAUER, OF GUI-ICES, AND'ROBERTM. LAOKEY, OF WATERFORD, NEW

YORK, ASSIGNORS TO COI'IOES ENVELOPE (30., INCL, OECOHOES, NEW YORK, A COR- PORATION OF NEW YORK.

TENSION ENVELOPE.

Application filed January This invention relates to containers, and in particular to the large envelope type which are closed by a string passing around suitable holding members.

A particular object of the invention is the provision of a reinforcing member in con junction with string closed envelopes which will act to prevent the bending of the envelope at its top edge when closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with the reinforcing memher, a hinge which will provide for the folding of the flap of the envelope at the proper place each time the same is used.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a view of the back side of an envelope embodying my reinforcing elements, the envelope being partially cut away to expose a portion of the reinforcing members. i

Figure Qis a view similar to Figure 1, the flap of the envelope being shown open to show how one of the reinforcing members is attached thereto and fastened.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section. taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, the lower broken portion representing the bottom of the envelope, and the means of fastening the string holding elements and reinforcing members being clearly shown.

Description.

Referring to the drawings in detail 10 denotes the body portion of a heavy paper envelope, which is closed at one end by a flap 11 which is of a width corresponding to that of the envelope.

These envelopes are used principally for carrying articles. through the mail and are of a rugged construction. In order that postal inspection may be facilitated the envelope is provided with two disks l2 preferably constructed of still cardboard which are fixed to the envelope by the eyelets 13 which pass therethrough, the space between the eyelets and the disks, which are somewhat resilient, providing a gripping means for the cord or string 14 which is usually fixed to the disk 12 disposed on the flap 11 of the envelope, by being passed between the eyelet and disk when the two are being assembled.

The other disk and eyelet are disposed in 31, 1925 Serial No. 5,979.

the back 15cof the envelope adjacent the edge of the fiap'll when the latter is in its closed position, permitting the string '14 to be wound therebetween to maintain the flap in closed position.

It has been found that in winding the string 14: about the disks 12 the top edge of the envelope is invariably bent over, and in cases where valuable papers or prlnts are enclosed, they also'will be bent and during transmission through the mails will become, together with the bent edge of the envelope, torn and frayed, or permanently creased.

In order to correct this fault, we have ap plied to this type of envelope or container, reinforcing members comprising strip cardboard which will resist bending, and one of which, 17 is glued or otherwise fixed to the j under side of the flap 11, the eyelet 13 also passing therethrough and assisting in maintaining the member in fixed relation to the flap.

The member 17 terminates at one end at the lower edge of the flap ,11 and at the other end at a point'adjacent the crease 18, which defines the top edge of the envelope and fold of the flap.

The other reinforcing member 19 extends from a point below the eyelet and disk that are fixed in the back of the envelope, to the,

crease 18, said member being glued to the inside of the back 15, and being further held thereagainst by the eyelet 13 which passes theret-hrough.

It is apparent, then, that when the string 14 is wound about the disks, the upper or top edge 18 of the envelope will not bend. There will be very little tendency for bending inasmuch as the pull on the fiapll will tend to compress the reinforcing members 17 and 19 longitudinally and they, being supported by the envelope material and contents will not yield to any reasonable pull on the string let.

This space left between the edge of member 17 and the fold 18 or top edge of the envelope allows for the bending over of the flap 11 and permits the two members 17 and 19 to lie substantially parallel, as illustrated in Figure 3.

We claim:

1. An envelope having a folding closure flap; a reinforcing member permanently mounted on said flap, said member extendny .n)

ing from the free edge to the hinge of said flap; a reinforcing member permanently mounted on the body of said enyelope in alinement with thefirst mentioned reinforcing member when the flap is closed, said sec thereabou-t; whereby said flexible member may be used to exert tension on said fastening members without bending the envelope and flap thereof.

2. An envelope having a folding closure flap; a reinforcing member permanently mounted on said flap, said member extending from the free edge to the hinge of said flap; a reinforcing member permanently mounted on the body of said envelope in alinement with the first mentioned reinforcing member when the flap is closed, said second mentioned reinforcing member being longer than the first mentioned reinforcing member and extending from the hinge of said flap to below the free edge of said flap; and means for fastening said flap in closed position, said means embodying a flexible cord-like member, and fastening means mounted on said reinforcing members to receive said flexible member when wrapped thereabout, said means embodying eyeleted members permanently secured to by being driven through said reinforcing members and said flap and the body of said envelope in mutuallyspaced relation when in service, saideyelets having exposed flanges under which the flexible fastening member may be drawn.

3. An envelope having a folding closure flap; a reinforcing member permanently mounted on said flap, said member extending from the free edge to the hinge of said flap; a reinforcing member permanently mounted on the body of said envelope in alinement with the first mentioned reinforcing member when the flap is closed, said second mentioned reinforcing member being longer than the first mentioned reinforcing member and extending from the hinge of said flap to below the free edge of said flap; and means for fastening said flap in closed position, said means embodying a flexible cord-like member, and fastening means mounted on said reinforcing members to receive said flexible member when wrapped thereabout, said means embodying eyeleted members permanently secured to by being driven through said reinforcing members and said flap and the body of said envelope in mutually spaced relation when in service, said eyelets having exposed flanges under which the flexible fastening member may be drawn, said flanges embodying paper disks held in service position by said eyelets.

' CHARLES P. KLEEBAUER.

ROBERT M. LACKEY. 

